The 2025 Delhi Assembly elections have generated intense political drama, with the results reflecting unexpected shifts within the party dynamics. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), under the stewardship of Arvind Kejriwal, aimed to secure its third consecutive term. Contrarily, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was positioned to make a substantive comeback after more than two decades away from power. The stakes were monumental as the counting of votes commenced on February 8, 2025.
The early results indicated the BJP had taken significant leads across various constituencies, rapidly approaching the majority mark. According to reports, by the time counting had begun, BJP was leading on approximately 48 seats, with AAP trailing at 22 seats, and Congress failing to win any seats.
A prominent moment during this election was the sharp critique from AAP leaders directed at the Election Commission of India (ECI). Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and party chief Arvind Kejriwal voiced serious concerns over the ECI’s refusal to upload Form 17C. Kejriwal expressed his disappointment on social media, stating, “The EC has refused to upload form 17C and the number of votes polled per booth,” calling for transparency and accountability within the electoral process.
“Even a class 10th student can add up all votes and tell us, why didn’t they (Election Commission) do it?” Singh questioned, indicating the frustration AAP leaders felt over the lack of accessible voting data. This sentiment brewed among the party supporters, leading to the launch of AAP’s website to provide copies of Form 17C for every assembly constituency, thereby pushing for transparency the party believed should have originated from the ECI.
The voter turnout for the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections stood at 60.42%, signaling active public engagement, with over 1.5 crore voters exercising their rights across 70 assembly constituencies. Compelling contests emerged, particularly Arvind Kejriwal against Parvesh Singh Verma from BJP and Sandeep Dikshit from Congress, which captured public interest.
Despite initial predictions from exit polls favoring the BJP, which hinted at their possible comeback, AAP's resilience has always posed surprises during previous elections. Kejriwal had previously secured victories over the BJP and Congress candidates in the last three elections; the stakes were certainly high with him fighting for his political survival.
The atmosphere of anticipation transitioned to shock as results started flowing from across the assembly constituencies. Kejriwal lost his seat to Parvesh Verma, trailing by 4,089 votes. This marked a significant defeat for AAP, considering Kejriwal’s historic hold over the New Delhi constituency.
Post-election analysis emerged, emphasizing the discontent voters felt amid various issues handled by the current administration. The BJP's campaign effectively capitalized on these sentiments, appealing to voters fatigued by AAP's incumbency, leading to what many termed as political retribution.
During the counting phase, Sanjay Goyal of BJP emerged victorious against Jitender Singh Shunty of AAP with 62,788 votes. Goyal’s win indicates potential shifting voter dynamics, underscoring challenges AAP faces moving forward as the party navigates these low points.
Back at the AAP headquarters, Kejriwal held meetings with senior party officials, attempting to regroup amid the unforeseen backlash from the voters. Senior leaders like Sanjay Singh and others convened to discuss the outcomes and possible strategies moving forward. Amidst the tensions, Kejriwal publicly acknowledged the mandate of the people with humility, stating, “We accept the mandate of the people with great humility. I congratulate the BJP for this victory.”
Losses were prevalent not only for Kejriwal but for significant AAP figures like Manish Sisodia, who also conceded defeat from the Jangpura constituency. The results signify deep-rooted changes within Delhi’s political fabric, potentially paving the way for the BJP to regain influence after years of opposition.
Critics swiftly emerged following the results, with Congress claiming they may have benefited from AAP’s dwindling support. Sandeep Dikshit remarked on AAP’s struggles and their incapacity to present themselves as viable alternatives to the electorate's needs, territorializing the ground for BJP’s improvements across various constituencies.
Overall, the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections have served as a litmus test for the political endurance of AAP and, conversely, the resurgence of BJP as it aims to reclaim its foothold within the political sphere of India's capital. The final tally remains illustrative of where public sentiment is headed and poses questions about the future governance approach and priorities for elected officials.